HC to hear Nirmala Sapre defection case today:LoP Singhar demands membership cancellation; MLA claims Congress affiliation

The Madhya Pradesh High Court is set to hear the alleged defection case involving Congress MLA Nirmala Sapre on Thursday. The petition, filed by Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar, seeks the disqualification of Sapre from the State Assembly over allegations that she switched political allegiance. The plea urges the court to direct action under the anti-defection provisions of the Constitution and terminate her membership as an MLA. High Court questions delay in decision During an earlier hearing, the High Court noted that while defection cases are expected to be decided within 90 days, more than 720 days had passed without a final decision. Responding on behalf of the state, Advocate General Prashant Singh informed the court that the Assembly Speaker was conducting due proceedings and examining the evidence submitted by the petitioner before taking a decision. MLA maintains she is still a Congress member At the previous hearing, Nirmala Sapre told the High Court that she continues to be a member of the Congress party. The court recorded her statement and directed petitioner Umang Singhar to produce evidence demonstrating that she had formally joined the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP). The court indicated that proof of official party membership would be central to deciding the matter. Background of the case Nirmala Sapre was elected as the Congress MLA from the Bina Assembly constituency in Sagar district in the 2023 Madhya Pradesh Assembly elections. However, during the 2024 Lok Sabha election campaign, she was seen alongside Chief Minister Dr. Mohan Yadav at a BJP event on May 5, sparking speculation that she had joined the ruling party. Subsequently, on July 5, 2024, Leader of the Opposition Umang Singhar filed a petition before the Assembly Speaker seeking her disqualification under the Tenth Schedule of the Constitution, which deals with anti-defection provisions. Matter reaches High Court After no decision was taken by the Speaker’s office for several months, Umang Singhar approached the Madhya Pradesh High Court in November 2024, requesting judicial intervention and an expeditious ruling on the disqualification plea.